Unit 2

Question 1

Neurotransmitters

Answer 1

chemicals in the brain in each neuron that allow the impulse to cross over the synaptic gap. (they act like a bridge)

Question 2

Neural inhibitors

Answer 2

Act like a wall, stops the impulse

Question 3

ACH

Answer 3

Neurotransmitter involved in muscle movements and memory

Question 4

Autonomic Nervous system

Answer 4

Part of the nervous system that we are not concious about

Question 5

Peripheral nervous system

Answer 5

part of the nervous system that connects the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. Controls muscles, organs and senses.

Question 6

Sympathetic nervous system

Answer 6

The muscles in a our body, we are aware of what’s happening

Question 7

Parasympathetic nervous system

Answer 7

it calms us down, and returns it back to normal. (when we stop running it makes the body go back to normal).

Question 8

Myelin sheath

Answer 8

Covers the axon

Question 9

Dendrites

Answer 9

The beginning of the neuron that receives the information

Question 10

Terminal branches

Answer 10

Where all the neurochemicals live

Question 11

Neural networks

Answer 11

When the neurons get organized to fire more quickly

Question 12

Párkinson

Answer 12

It’s a desease where the myelin sheath is not protected properly

Question 13

ALS

Answer 13

The brain stops regulating the organs functions, so they will shut down

Question 14

Epilepsy

Answer 14

It’s a disorder where the neurons fire with no control

Question 15

Adrenal glands

Answer 15

small glands located on top of each kidney, they produce hormones like adrenaline and cortisol.

Question 16

Pituitary glands

Answer 16

small gland located at the base of the brain. Regulates important functions like growth, reproduction and metabolism by releasing different hormones.

Question 17

Medulla

Answer 17

Part of the brain that controls basic life functions like breathing, blood pressure and heart rate

Question 18

Reticular formation

Answer 18

part of the brain that helps you control awareness and makes you stay awake.

Question 19

Thalamus

Answer 19

part of the brain that sends sensory information to the right parts of the brain.

Question 20

Endocrine system

Answer 20

network of glands that release hormones to control mood, metabolism, growth and stress.

Question 21

Cerebellum

Answer 21

part of the brain that helps control balance, coordination and movement.

Question 22

Limbic system

Answer 22

part of the brain that controls emotions, memory and motivation.

Question 23

Amygdala

Answer 23

part of the brain that handles emotions. It’s the brain’s emotional response center.

Question 24

Hypothalamus

Answer 24

part of the brain that regulates body functions such as hunger, thirst, temperature and sleep.

Question 25

Cerebral cortex

Answer 25

it’s responsible for thinking, planning and making decisions.

Question 26

Glial cells

Answer 26

support cells in the brain that protect and maintain neurons.

Question 27

Frontal lobe

Answer 27

part of the brain that is responsible for making decisions.

Question 28

Parietal lobe

Answer 28

part of the brain that processes touch and pain.

Question 29

Temporal lobe

Answer 29

part of the brain that helps process sounds, language and memory.

Question 30

Motor cortex

Answer 30

part of the brain that controls voluntary movements sending signals to the muscles.

Question 31

Sensory cortex

Answer 31

part of the brain that processes sensory information

Question 32

Aphasia

Answer 32

condition that affects a person’s ability to communicate

Question 33

Broca’s area

Answer 33

allows us to think of things and say them.

Question 34

Wernick’s area

Answer 34

allows us to hear what other people say and translate them to words in our brain.

Question 35

Plasticity

Answer 35

the brain’s ability to make up for other parts of the brain after some type of injury or illness.

Question 36

Corpus callosum

Answer 36

part of the brain that connects the two halves of the brain and allows them to communicate and share information.

Question 37

Pons

Answer 37

part of the brain that connects different parts of it and helps control breathing, sleep and facial movements.

Question 38

Phineas gage

Answer 38

worker who survived a brain injury, which has helped scientists learn how specific parts of the brain are linked to personality

Question 39

Visual cortex

Answer 39

part of the brain that processes visual information.

Question 40

Writing prompt

Answer 40

The brain communicates with the body at a cellular level through neurons, which transmit using electrical impulses called action potential. When the action potential reaches the synapse, the electrical sign is converted into a chemical one. This is done by releasing neurotransmitters, like ACH, which cross the synapse to attach to receptors on the target cell, continuing the signal.
After neurotransmitters have done their job, they are often taken back up by the neuron through the process of reuptake, allowing for regulation and reuse of chemicals. This system makes the communication between neurons and target cells efficient.